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McDonald’s has never been afraid of thinking big. From supersized fries to the unmistakable Big Mac, the fast-food giant has made its name on meals that feel larger than life. But whilst customers across Europe and Canada have been enjoying a brand-new heavyweight sandwich, American fans have been left waiting and wondering if they’d ever get the chance to bite into it.
In Portugal during the summer of 2024, McDonald’s trialled a premium new burger on menus - one that pushed beyond the familiar Double Quarter Pounder and captured attention almost overnight.
Word of mouth spread quickly, and before long, the creation had made its way across Canada and Germany. In 2025, the burger turned up in the UK, Ireland and France, gaining a reputation as one of the chain’s fastest-growing international hits. Social media posts showed off towering buns and generous fillings, fuelling the desire among American McDonald’s loyalists.
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Now, after months of hype and speculation, the burger — called ‘the Big Arch Burger’ — has finally reached US soil, but there’s a big catch. It won’t be found in drive-thrus or suburban restaurants just yet. Instead, the only place serving it is McDonald’s Headquarters restaurant in Chicago, where it sits on the International menu as something of a showpiece item. For those willing to make the trip, the burger is priced at $7.99 on its own or $10.99 as part of a meal with fries and a drink.
As to what exactly fast food diners are getting for their money: the Big Arch Burger is stacked with two quarter-pound patties, three slices of white cheese, crispy onions, slivered onions, pickles, lettuce and a special Big Arch Sauce. All of this comes inside a sesame and poppy seed bun, designed to give it a slightly different edge to McDonald’s usual offerings.
The sheer scale of the Big Arch has placed it firmly at the top of the company’s burger line-up, appealing to those looking for something more substantial than the classics.
The company has been quick to point out that the Big Arch is more than a novelty item. Its success abroad has prompted executives to fast-track discussions about rolling it out further.
McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said during an earnings call: “The pilot of our larger burger offering, Big Arch, now in three international markets, Portugal, Germany, and Canada, shows that we’re listening to consumer tastes and delivering. We're encouraged by the results showing the Big Arch has universal appeal with sizable opportunity across markets. And thanks to the success of the pilot, we're accelerating plans.
“We’ll work with franchisees and partners to deploy the Big Arch faster into more international markets in 2025.”
For now, the limited US launch keeps the Big Arch firmly in the realm of cult favourite rather than mass-market staple. But if the buzz surrounding its Chicago debut is anything to go by, it may only be a matter of time before McDonald’s customers across the country see it sitting proudly on their local menus.
Ben Williams